Maryland superintendent warns of persistent teacher shortages, urges stronger educator preparation

Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Carrie Wright told the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board at its December meeting that the state continues to face significant staffing challenges in K–12 classrooms.

"At the start of the school year, we had 1,613 teacher vacancies in Maryland," Wright said, and added that the total included an "alarming number" of conditionally certified educators: "more than 6,000 conditionally certified teachers in our state." Wright described the conditional license cohort as an opportunity and a challenge: career changers bring experience and diversity, but they will need strong preparation and comprehensive induction to remain in the profession.

Wright also stressed the department's intensified focus on literacy after the State Board's October adoption of a pre-K through grade 3 comprehensive literacy policy and described work by an assessment and accountability task force to strengthen measurement and transparency.

Wright urged the professional standards board to center educator-preparation program standards and licensure rules on evidence-based instruction and induction. She said the board's recommendations and the department's regulatory work must align with the Blueprint law and with the State Board and Accountability and Implementation Board consultations.

The superintendent closed by asking board members to continue to refine licensure standards and induction supports so schools have skilled teachers in every classroom.

The board applauded Wright's address and proceeded to consider several regulatory packages and consultation items tied to those policy goals.